I am pleased to have the…

I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act and hope you will take comments into consideration in the decision making process .

The proposed changes to the Act, and its procedures are destructive to the environment and consequently the quality of life of Ontarians, and our lucrative tourist industry. The changes proposed for the Act will destroy much of the protection for individual species -at-risk and their habitats. Once these are gone they are irreplaceable.

These proposals come just as a UN report that demonstrates a fifth of all life forms on Earth are at risk! Thus the Ontario Government is abrogating its global responsibility at a critical time and will be the pariah of more enlightened countries who generate ecotourists.

The increased ministerial discretion to interfere with the scientific aspects of designation of species and habitats is deeply disturbing in that it grants increased arbitrary powers to the Minister, regardless of competency and knowledge needed for long-term planning.

The “pay-to-slay” provisions are totally unacceptable and will lead to much damage to Species at Risk, their habitats, and other species dependent on these habitats.

Schedule 5 should be struck from Bill 108. Additionally, future proposals of this kind should not be buried in unrelated legislation (A housing bill in this case).